With more than 70 authors covering a wide array of genres lined up for this year’s National Book Festival, it’s difficult to narrow down whom to check out. That said, here is a handful of participants worth a look.
Jonathan Franzen: If anyone ever says to you that the Great American Novel is dead, just utter two words: Jonathan Franzen. After his 2001 National Book Award-winning “The Corrections,” Franzen’s new novel “Freedom” has received critical acclaim.
Presentation: Poetry & Prose 10:35 to 11:05 a.m. Signing: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Spike Mendelsohn: It’s kind of cool that this “Top Chef” alum has ingrained himself into the D.C. scene. In addition to his “Good Stuff Eatery,” he and his sister Micheline have released “The Good Stuff Cookbook: Burgers, Fries, Shakes, Wedges and More.”
Presentation: Contemporary Life 10 to 10:30 a.m. Signing: 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
Michele Norris: Any fan of NPR’s “All Things Considered” is familiar with the friendly voice of award-winning journalist Michele Norris. Her new written work is “The Grace of Silence: A Memoir.”
Presentation: Contemporary Life 5 to 5:30 p.m. Signing: 11 a.m. to noon.
David Remnick: The editor of the New Yorker has a pair of New York Times best-sellers: “Lenin’s Tomb,” and his current effort “The Bridge: The Life and Rise of Barack Obama.”
Presentation: History & Biography 5 to 5:30 p.m. Signing: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
To see a full schedule of authors, events and presentation times, visitloc.gov/bookfest.
